Top 250 Challenge: 128

Cidade de Deus
Number 15 on IMDb's Top 250
Nominated by Mick

Cidade de Deus (City of God) is a housing project built in the 1960's that--in the early 80's--became one of the most dangerous places in Rio de Janeiro. The tale tells the stories of many characters whose lives sometimes intersect. However, all is seen through the eyes of a singular narrator: Rocket, a poor black youth too frail and scared to become an outlaw but also to smart to be content with underpaid, menial jobs. He grows up in a very violent environment. The odds are all against him. But Rocket soon discovers that he can see reality differently than others. His redemption is that he's been given an artist's point of view as a keen-eyed photographer. As Busca-Pé is not the real protagonist of the film--only the narrator--he is not the one who makes the decisions that will determine the sequence of events. Nevertheless, not only his life is attached to what happens in the story, but it is also through Rocket's perspective of life that one can understand the complicated layers and humanity of a world, apparently condemned to endless violence. Hilarity ensues.

Trivia: All of the amateur actors were recruited from favelas (slums) in Rio de Janeiro, and a couple of of them - eg. Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) - actually lived in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) itself. One day, during a pause of the shooting the group of kids who played the Runts approached screenwriter Braulio Mantovani and asked him if it was true that the movie would end with their characters controlling the slum. When he confirmed, they asked if he could write a sequel for them to star in.

This was a very good movie. It was very well scripted and really takes you into the world of the City of God. Thanks Mick.